Varying data writer side shield gap distal the ABS

Abstract

A data writing element may be configured at least with a write pole positioned adjacent a first shield along a first axis and adjacent a second shield along a second axis. The second shield may be separated from the write pole by a first gap distance on an air bearing surface (ABS) and by a second gap distance distal the ABS with the first and second gap distances meeting at a transition surface oriented parallel to the ABS.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising a write pole adjacent a side shield along a first axis, the side shield having first and second shield sub-layers having different magnetic flux densities and contacting at a first transition surface oriented parallel to an air bearing surface (ABS), the first transition surface separating the first shield sub-layer from the second shield sub-layer, the second sub-layer being separated from the ABS and comprising a lower magnetic flux density than the first shield sub-layer. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a trailing shield is separated from the write pole along a second axis and is positioned downtrack from the write pole. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the side shield is positioned laterally adjacent the write pole and uptrack from the trailing shield. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the write pole is disposed between matching side shields. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the write pole comprises a first sidewall extending from the ABS with a first shape, the side shield comprising a second sidewall extending from the ABS with a second shape, the first and second shapes being different. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the side shield comprises a second transition surface oriented parallel to the ABS, the first and second transition surfaces separated from the ABS by different distances. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second transition surfaces have different lengths as measured parallel to the ABS. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition surface is continuously linear. 
     
     
       9. A magnetic element comprising a write pole adjacent a side shield along a first axis, the side shield configured as a horizontal lamination with first, second, and third shield sub-layers having different magnetic flux densities meeting at a first transition surface oriented parallel to the air bearing surface (ABS), the first and second shield sub-layers each contacting the ABS, the third shield sub-layer separated from the ABS by the first shield sub-layer. 
     
     
       10. The magnetic element of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second sub-layers continuously extend from the ABS. 
     
     
       11. The magnetic element of  claim 9 , wherein the first sub-layer comprises the first transition surface and the second sub-layer comprises a second transition surface oriented parallel to the ABS. 
     
     
       12. The magnetic element of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second transition surfaces are positioned at different distances from the ABS. 
     
     
       13. The magnetic element of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second transition surfaces are positioned at a common distance from the ABS. 
     
     
       14. The magnetic element of  claim 9 , wherein the first sub-layer has a greater magnetic flux density than the second and third sub-layers. 
     
     
       15. The magnetic element of  claim 9 , wherein the first sub-layer extends no farther than the first transition surface in a direction perpendicular to the ABS. 
     
     
       16. The magnetic element of  claim 11 , wherein the side shield comprises a third sub-layer that continuously extends from the second transition surface without contacting the ABS. 
     
     
       17. The magnetic element of  claim 16 , wherein the side shield comprises a fourth sub-layer that continuously extends from the first transition surface without contacting the ABS. 
     
     
       18. The magnetic element of  claim 16 , wherein the side shield comprises a fourth sub-layer that has a different magnetic moment than the first sub-layer. 
     
     
       19. The magnetic element of  claim 9 , wherein the first sub-layer comprises a write pole facing sidewall configured with a matching shape as a side shield facing sidewall of the write pole. 
     
     
       20. A method comprising:
 positioning a write pole adjacent a side shield along a first axis, the side shield comprising first and second sub-layers having different magnetic flux densities; and 
 configuring the first and second sub-layers to contact at a transition surface oriented parallel to the ABS, the transition surface separating the first shield sub-layer from the second shield sub-layer, the second sub-layer being separated from the ABS and comprising a lower magnetic flux density than the first shield sub-layer.